SHILLONG, June 26: On the occasion of International Day against Drug Abuse & Illicit Trafficking, Meghalaya launched the Drug Reduction, Elimination & Action Mission (DREAM) here on Monday.
Launching it, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma underlined the government’s commitment to eradicating the menace in the state.
The state Cabinet on January 12 passed DREAM with the vision to build a “drug-free Meghalaya” that leverages culture and communities through a multifaceted coordinated strategy to eliminate the incidence of substance use.
As part of the Meghalaya State Health Policy launched in May 2021, the state is adopting a holistic lifecycle approach for encouraging preventive and promotive healthcare, along with upholding the curative and enabling dimensions.
As part of it, DREAM has been built upon the existing Drug Abuse Prevention Policy, 2020. This is an effort by the government towards providing the youth with greater capabilities and opportunities to realize their potential, rather than falling into debt trap activities.
In his speech, Sangma highlighted the significance of DREAM and urged the community to unite in the fight against drug abuse, emphasizing that everyone has a role to play in creating a better and brighter future for Meghalaya.
“Only by working together can we overcome this menace and create a drug-free Meghalaya. I am confident that with our combined efforts, we can achieve our goal,” he said.
The CM also underscored the devastating effects of drug abuse, not only on individuals but also on families and society as a whole. Recognizing the crucial role of the youth in building a better future, he stressed on the importance of collective action and community engagement in preventing drug abuse.
He commended Meghalaya Police for their dedication in tackling drug trafficking and urged them to continue their efforts. He mentioned the extensive efforts being made at the national level to combat drug abuse.
“I have full faith in DREAM, which is a meticulously-planned initiative with a budget allocation of Rs 50 crore for 5 years. This comprehensive programme has been designed to achieve tangible results through targeted interventions and strategic implementation,” Sangma said.
He appealed to religious organizations, NGOs and the citizens to prioritize the fight against drugs. This is not solely the responsibility of the government but it requires the active involvement of all stakeholders, he said.
Commissioner and Secretary of Social Welfare Department, Pravin Bakshi presented the comprehensive plan of DREAM, emphasizing the urgent need to address the drug epidemic. He shed light on the institutional structure and social mobilization aspects of the initiative.
Bakshi said, “The statistics regarding tobacco and alcohol consumption are deeply concerning. It is imperative that we take immediate action to address these issues and protect our citizens from the harmful effects of substance abuse.”
He further emphasized on the importance of convergence among government institutions, stating “to address the multifaceted nature of the problem of drug abuse, we must facilitate convergence among various government departments and agencies. By working together, we can pool our resources, expertise and efforts to tackle this issue comprehensively,” he said.
Director General of Police, Lajja Ram Bishnoi highlighted the global nature of drug abuse and trafficking. He spoke about the significance of the International Day Against Drug Abuse & Illicit Trafficking and outlined five essential objectives of creating awareness and empowering youth through preventive interventions.
Bishnoi discussed the vulnerabilities of Meghalaya due to its geographical location, ease of availability, and social factors contributing to drug abuse. He underscored the importance of collaborative efforts, interstate cooperation, and capacity building to combat the menace.
The event was organised by Meghalaya Police and Social Welfare Department on the theme “People First: Stop Stigma & Discrimination, Strengthen Prevention.”
